Over 30 protected monuments untraceable

Rapid urbanisation, multi-storeyed buildings and development projects are believed to have led to the disappearance of these sites.

Rapid urbanisation, multi-storeyed buildings and development projects have led to disappearance of 35 centrally-protected monuments and sites across the country.

Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Sonia told the Rajya Sabha in a reply that Delhi's Bara Khamba cemetery, Moti Gate of Sher Shah and Nicholsan statue were among the untraceable sites and monuments.

"The major causes for the disappearance of these monuments are rapid urbanisation, construction of multi-storeyed residential and commercial buildings and implementation of development projects," she said.

A 12th-century temple at Baran in Rajasthan, gunner Burkill's timp at Rangaon in Uttar Pradesh, guns of emperor Sher Shah in Assam's Tinsukia, ruins of Copper Temple near Paya in Arunachal Pradesh, Mughal Kos Minar in Haryana's Faridabad and Kutumbari temple at Dwarahat in Uttaranchal also figure in the same list.

Security cover: The government has selected eleven sites, including the Ramjanambhoomi/Babri complex in Ayodhya and Taj Mahal, under its special security cover plans.

Khajuraho, Red Forts in Delhi and Agra, Rumtek Monastery, Krishnajanambhoomi in Mathura, Delhi's Rajghat and National Museum, Salarjung Museum in Hyderabad and Kashi Vishvanath temple are also proposed to be provided with special security covers.

The Home Affairs Ministry has made a budgetary provision of Rs 24.91 crore for the security cover plan, Soni said in another reply.